Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (over 18 years old)

For age-associated memory impairment (AAMI), 240-600 milligrams of ginkgo extract (EGb 761® or ginkgobene®) has been taken by mouth for up to 42 weeks. Ginkgo in a dosage of 0.9-1.9 milliliters has been taken by mouth three times daily. Additionally, 120 milligrams of ginkgo extract has been taken by mouth twice daily for 6.1 years.

For altitude (mountain) sickness, 160 milligrams of ginkgo (EGb 761®) once daily or 120 milligrams of ginkgo twice daily has been taken by mouth for 4-5 days.

For autism, 100 milligrams of ginkgo EGb 761® has been taken by mouth daily for four weeks.

For blood pressure control, 120 milligrams of ginkgo extract has been taken by mouth for 6.1 years.

For cancer prevention, 120 milligrams of ginkgo extract (EGb 761®) has been taken by mouth twice daily for 6.1 years.

For cerebral insufficiency (insufficient blood flow to the brain), up to 160 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks in up to three divided doses.

For cochleovestibular (ear) disorders, 160 milligrams of ginkgo (EGb 761®) supplements (Tanakan® or Tebokan®) has been taken by mouth as two tablets twice daily over six weeks.

For claudication (leg pain from clogged arteries), 80-320 milligrams of ginkgo extract (EGb 761®) or 6 milliliters of ginkgo liquid has been taken by mouth daily in single or divided doses for up to six months. The ginkgo product Tanakan® has been injected in the veins at a dose of 100 milligrams in 500 cubic centimeters of normal saline, twice daily for eight days. Additionally, 35 milligrams of ginkgo extract has been injected into the femoral vein.

For cocaine dependence, 120 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth daily for 10 weeks.

For cognitive performance, up to 600 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth as a tablet, flavone glycoside, ginkgolide, or leaf extract in single or divided doses for up to eight months (Blackmore's ginkgo Forte®, EGb 761®, Tebonin®, Tanakan®, Rökan®, Kaveri®).

For decreased libido and erectile dysfunction (impotence), up to 240 milligrams of ginkgo or ginkgo extract has been taken by mouth daily for up to 18 months.

For dementia, up to 600 milligrams daily of ginkgo in single or divided doses has been taken by mouth for up to six years (EGb 761®, Tebonin®, Tanakan®, Rökan®, Kaveri®). Additionally, 200 milligrams of EGb 761® has been injected in the blood for four days weekly. Geriaforce® at a daily dose of 2.85-5.7 milliliters has been injected in the blood for 24 weeks.

For depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), 240 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth for up to 10 weeks.

For diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage), 20 milliliters of ginkgo in 250 milliliters of normal saline has injected in the blood daily for four weeks.

For eye allergy, two eyedrops containing a combination of ginkgo and hyaluronic acid were used in each eye three times daily for one month.

For generalized anxiety disorder, 240-480 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth daily in up to three divided doses for 4-8 weeks.

For glaucoma (increased eye pressure), up to 300 milligrams of ginkgo, ginkgo extract or flavonoid glycosides has been taken by mouth daily in single or divided doses for up to four years.

For glucose tolerance, 120 milligrams of EGb 761® has been taken by mouth once daily for three months.

For Graves' disease (thyroid disorder), 120 milligrams of EGb 761® has been taken by mouth daily from three days before to 30 days after radioiodine therapy.

For hearing loss, 120 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth twice daily. Additionally, 40 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth three times daily over two different courses of 90 days.

For heart disease, 120 milligrams of ginkgo extract (EGb 761®, Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, Karlsruhe, Germany) has been taken by mouth twice daily for 6.1 years. Additionally, 87.5 milligrams of ginkgo extract has been injected in the blood daily for two weeks.

For macular degeneration (eye disease), up to 480 milligrams of ginkgo or ginkgo extract has been taken in single or divided doses by mouth for up to six months (ginkgo extract LI 1370, EGb 761®).

For memory enhancement, 120-360 milligrams of ginkgo daily in single or divided doses has been taken by mouth for up to six weeks (Bioginkgo® , Ginkoba® , Blackmore's ginkgoforte extract, Li1370, EGb 761®, Ginkoba Gb extract).

For mental alertness (post-meal), 130-234 milligrams of ginkgo daily has been taken by mouth for 13 weeks.

For mood and cognition in postmenopausal women, 120 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth daily for seven days to six weeks.

For multiple sclerosis (MS), 240 or 360 milligrams of ginkgolide B has been taken by mouth daily.

For premenstrual syndrome (PMS), up to 320 milligrams of ginkgo or ginkgo extract has been taken by mouth in single or divided doses (Ginko T.D.™ EGb 761®).

For pulmonary interstitial fibrosis (lung scarring), 1 gram of ginkgo extract has been taken by mouth three times daily for three months.

For quality of life, 120 milligrams of EGb 761® extract has been taken by mouth daily for 4-10 months.

For Raynaud's (poor circulation), 120-360 milligrams of ginkgo extract (EGb 761®) has been taken by mouth in single or divided doses daily for up to 10 weeks.

For retinopathy (eye damage from type 2 diabetes), 80 milligrams (2 milliliters) of EGb 761® has been taken by mouth twice daily.

For schizophrenia, up to 360 milligrams of ginkgo or ginkgo extract (EGb 761®) has been taken by mouth in divided doses daily for up to 16 weeks, alone or in combination with antipsychotics.

For smell disorders, 80 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth three times daily for four weeks in addition to prednisolone and mometasone furoate.

For stroke, 40 milligrams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth four times daily for four weeks.

For stomach cancer, 0.5 grams of ginkgo has been taken by mouth three times daily.

For tinnitus (ringing of the ears), up to 240 milligrams of ginkgo or ginkgo extract has been taken by mouth in single or divided doses for up to 26 weeks (EGb 761®, Tanakan®, LI1370). Additionally, 200 milligrams of EGb 761® has been injected in the blood for 10 days, followed by 80 milligrams taken by mouth twice daily for 12 weeks.

For vertigo (dizziness), 160 milligrams of ginkgo (EGb 761®) has been taken by mouth daily for three months.

For vitiligo (lack of pigment in the skin), 120 milligrams of ginkgo extract or standardized ginkgo in two or three divided doses has been taken for up to six months.

Note: The intravenous ginkgo product Tebonin®, which was available in Germany, may have been removed from the German market due to significant adverse effects.

Note: Beneficial effects may take 4-6 weeks to appear. Ginkgo seeds are potentially toxic and should be avoided.

Children (under 18 years old)

For attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 40-120 milligrams has been taken by mouth daily in single or divided doses for six weeks.

For dyslexia, 80 milligrams of EGb 761® has been taken by mouth daily for an average of 34.4 days.